Apparatus for the fluid treatment of thread or sheetlike material

ABSTRACT

A drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis is equipped with an outer perforated jacket, the space between the drum and jacket being divided into separate chambers and means for supplying fluid to the chambers whereby the fluid will pass through the perforations to contact thread or sheet material wound on the jacket by reason of centrifugal force, pumping pressure, or both.

United States Patent [151 3,640,100 Marz Feb. 8, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR THE FLUID [56] References Cited t'ifiiiifilhiiififif 7 3,233,437 2/1966 Windhausen ..68/l50 [72] Invent r: Ho st Mm. uy 5 Box 3 3,296,841 1/1967 Fischer ..68/l50 Pinetown/Natal, South Africa 3,413,080 1 1/1968 Schlagenhof et al ..68/ 150 X [22] Filed: July 1970 Primary Examiner-William l. Brice [2|] Appl. No.: 59,608 Attorney-Ward,McElhannon,Brooks&Fitzpatrick 30 Foreign Application Priority Data [571 ABSTRACT A drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis is equipped with Aug. 7, 1969 Switzerland ..1 1994/69 an Outer perforated jacket the space between the drum and 1 jacket being divided mm Separate chambers and means 5 g: supplying fluid to the chambers whereby the fluid will pass 58 mido 's; i IIIIIII...................................fI.8s/7.s, 150 through the perforations Contact thread or Sheet material wound on the jacket by reason of centrifugal force, pumping pressure, or both.

13 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENIED FEB emz SHEET INVEN'IOR. Hoes? 742 2 APPARATUS FOR THE FLUID TREATMENT OF THREAD OR SHEETLIKE MATERIAL Apparatuses of the class described are already known for the treatment of thread or sheetlike material with fluids in which the material to be treated is wound onto the perforated jacket of a rotating drum and in which the treatment fluid is fed into the interior of the drum and passed through the material to be treated by pump pressure and centrifugal force. Such apparatuses are used for a wide variety of treatments such as washing, desizing, boiling, bleaching or dyeing of woven and knitted goods in full width, and also of warps for weaving.

According to the teachings in U.S. Pat. No. 3,233,437, the interior of the drum has been divided into several centrifugal chambers by walls extending at a right angle with respect to the axis of the drum and from a perforated central hollow shaft to the perforated jacket of the drum, in order to achieve an equal and determined repartition of the treatment mediums over the whole surface of the drum or its partial surfaces. In \this form of an apparatus, the material to be treated is wound onto the drum immediate contact with the surface of the perforated jacket of the drum (see also US. Pat. Nos. 3,296,841 and 3,413,980).

ltis also known to construct the apparatus so that the jacket of the drum has no perforation, but only a few flow-out openings through which the treatment medium flows to the outer surface of the jacketof the drum. The support of the material to be wound onto the drum is not effected directly on the surface of the drum, but on a spiral formed by a flat strip composed of one or several layers of metal, the edges of which are directed towards or away from the surface of the drum, and which encloses the surface of the drum at a very short distance. Recesses are provided in this spiral at regular distancesso that the treatment medium may simultaneously spread through the space between the surface of the drum and over the first layer of material lying on the strip spiral.

In all the above-mentioned known apparatuses, the movement of the treatment mediums and particularly of liquid, takes place within the whole interior of the drum. This causes the consumption of an extremely high quantity of medium which, in connection with the weight of the wound-up material and the weight of the jacket of the drum, requires a thickness and rigidity of the jacket of the drum which is high enough to take up the total centrifugal force, the eccentricity forces and the flexion moments caused thereby.

This rigidity, however, in corrosion resistant, austenitic steels which were used up to now for this type of drums, is 1.7 times lower than that of normal steels, and the material cost of the first-mentioned type of steel is five times higher. Therefore, the widths of drums which have thus far only been produced using corrosion resistant material, were limited to the amount of 1,800 mm. for technical reasons (material rigidity) as well as for economical reasons (material cost).

It is the purpose of the present invention to avoid these disadvantages and to provide an apparatus having a drum of sufficient rigidity for material widths of up to 3,600 mm, and to reduce the fluid volume which must be centrifuged in proportion.

I have therefore conceived by my invention, apparatus for the treatment of thread or sheetlike material with liquids, vapors or gases comprising a drum rotatable about its axis which is rigidly fixed on a shafi, a cylinder jacket surface coaxial with the drum, characterized in that at least one perforated cylinder tube coaxial with the drum is supported around the drum by walls extending at a right angle with respect to the axis of the drum, the support walls dividing the space between the drum jacket and the cylinder tube into closed chambers, and in that the chambers are connected with distribution chambers situated at the ends of the drum, which may be filled with the treatment medium, by means of feed tubes. It will be seen that treatment medium can thus be confined within the space defined by the drum jacket and the surface of the cylinder jacket.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as the basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through onehalf of the apparatus with the distribution principle of the treatment medium for one fabric roll only wound on the drum;

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but illustrates a distribution principle with two separate fabric rolls wound on the drum; and

FIG. 3 is an enlargement of detail A of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a nonperforated drum jacket 1 for taking up the flexion moments caused by the weight of the wound-up material, by the treatment medium as well as by centrifugal force. This drum jacket consists of an inner part 2 consisting of corrosion resistant plated sheet metal, longitudinally welded with the surface of the inner part 2.

Annular plug fittings 3, 3' are fixed by shrinkage in the respective ends of the drum jacket 1 and receive the plugs 4, 4' which are welded to them. The inflow of the treatment medium takes place on one side through a plug opening 5. A wall 6 consisting of noncorrosive material fixed in the plug fitting 3 forms a distribution chamber 7 communicating with the plug opening 5. A central tube 8 communicates with the opening 5 to receive the treatment medium and feed same to the distribution chamber 11 situated opposite the distribution chamber 7 and which is defined by a circular exterior wall 9 fixed in the plug fitting 3 and a circular inner wall 10. As can be seen from FIG. 3, cylinder tubes 13, 17 and 22 are arranged in coaxial relationship with the drum jacket and on the same, as a support for the fabric to be wound thereon. At both ends, each tube presents marginal parts, 14, l5; l8, 19; 23, 24 bent towards the drum jacket I and welded to the same to serve as support walls.

The cylinder tube 13 is not perforated, whereas the cylinder tubes 17 and 22 form chambers 20, 25 provided with perforations 21 and 26, respectively, for receiving treatment mediurns. Further cylinder tubes 27, 29, 31 and 33, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, form further chambers 28, 30, 32 and 34 for receiving treatment mediums, and a nonperforated cylinder tube 35 is arranged at the right end of the drum as viewed. The total volume of the chambers 20, 25, 28, 30, 32 and 34 is determined by the fact that the inner diameter of the cylinder tube, when compared with the outer diameter of the drum jacket 1, is larger by between one-fifteenth and one-twentieth Feed tubes 37, 38 and 39 which are rigidly fixed in the wall 6 of the distribution chamber 7 and in bores 46, 47 and 48 of the drum jacket, provide the chambers 20, 25 and 28 with treatment medium; and feed tubes 40, 41 and 42 which are rigidly fixed in the inner wall 10 of the distribution chamber 11 and in further bores 57, 58 and 59 of the drum jacket 1, supply the chambers 30, 32 and 34 with the treatment medium. For regulating the feeding rate of the treatment mediums, each of the feed tubes 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 nd 42 is equipped with a value 50, 50, 50" (FIG. 3) and 55 (FIGS. 1 and 2) in recesses 49 (only one of which is shown) of the plug 4. The values are equipped with adjustment bolts 52, 52' and 52", respectively, which may be adjusted in leading elements 53, 53' and 53", respectively, for actuating the valve flaps 51, 51" and 51"respectively, and are provided with actuation device 54. Because of the different lengths of the flow paths of the treatment medium within the feed tubes 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42, different pressure losses arise which has disadvantageous effects due to the unsymmetrical distribution of the treatment medium which it causes. To avoid this, the distance of the flaps 51, 51 and 51" of the valves 50, 50 and 50" from the tightening surfaces is made adjustable by means of threadings 56, 56 and 56". Thereby, a throttle passage is created which can compensate the pressure loss of the central tube 8, whereby a symmetrical distribution of the treatment medium is achieved.

If, instead of a single fabric roll 43 extending over the entire drum length, as shown in FIG. 1, two separate fabric rolls 44, 44' are wound onto the drum, as in FIG. 2, the chambers 28 and 30 which are not needed, are closed by shutting off the feed tubes 39, 40.

Instead of a plurality of cylinder tubes, each of which forms only one chamber, a lesser number of cylinder tubes may be arranged around the drum jacket 1 which, 1 :tween the marginal parts serving as support walls, present further support walls extending vertically with respect to the tube axis, whereby each cylinder tube is divided into several chambers.

All the support walls of the cylinder tubes may be rigidly connected with the drum jacket 1. It is, however, also possible to arrange the cylinder tubes with their support walls so that they can be shifted in the direction of the drum axis on the drum jacket 1. It is furthermore possible to rig dly connect the marginal parts of each cylinder tube serving as support tubes with the drum jacket 1 and to arrange the support walls placed within each cylinder tube so that they can be shifted in the direction of the drum axis.

All the parts coming into contact with the treatment medium may consist of corrosion free metals or of synthetic materials.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that 1 contribute apparatus of the class described, the advantages of which consist in that, instead of the corrosion-proof steel used up to now, normal steel may be used for the hollow cylinder of the drum which is approximately one-fifth as expensive as corrosion-proof steel. The pemlanent rigidity of normal steel which is of the order of 1.7 times higher than that of corrosion-proof steel, makes possible the production of drums of a length of 3,600 mm. or more without increasing the drum diameter. Furthen'nore, the cylinder tubes of corrosion-proof steel surrounding the drum jacket 1 at a certain distance may be provided with smaller perforations because of their lower thickness of between 2 and 3 mm. which has positive effects, particularly when using the apparatus for dyeing.

Furthermore, the arrangement of the feed tubes and valves on both sides makes possible an arrangement comprising up to eighteen chambers which is particularly favorable for excess widths which may be treated two widths at a time. In a 3,600 mm. drum, e.g., by the arrangement of eighteen chambers, an individual treatment of portions each of which has a width of 200 mm. is possible by selection of the throughput rates of the treatment medium in each portion.

The construction and operation of the present novel treatment apparatus will now be understood, and the advantages thereof will be fully appreciated by those persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising, a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis, at least one perforated cylinder tube coaxial with said drum and spaced therefrom,

said tubes including walls extending perpendicularly with respect to said drum axis and supporting said tubes relatively to drum to form closed chambers between said drum and said tubes, fluid distribution chambers situated at respective ends of the drum, and feed tubes establishing fluid flow communication between said distribution chambers and respective to said closed chambers to supply fluid medium to said closed chambers.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the drum jacket consists of an inner part of normal steel and of an outer corrosion-resistant part connected therewith.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylinder tube or tubes arranged around the marginal area of the drum jacket are unperforated.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that several cylinder tubes are provided, each of which presents marginal parts on both ends, bent towards the drum jacket, which serve as support walls.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that each cylinder tube form a separate chamber.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, at the ends of the feed tubes leading into the distribution chambers, control and pressure compensation values are provided.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that each cylinder tube presents, between the marginal parts serving as support walls, further support walls extending perpendicularly with respect to the tube axis, whereby each cylinder tube is divided into several chambers.

8. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the support walls of the cylinder tubes are rigidly connected with the drum jacket.

9. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the cylinder tubes with their support walls may be shifted on the drum jacket in the direction of the drum axis.

10. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the marginal parts of each cylinder tube serving as support walls are rigidly connected with the drum jacket and in that the further support walls arranged within each cylinder tube can be shifted in direction of the drum axis.

11. Apparatus of the class described comprising, a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis, characterized in that at least one perforated cylinder tube coaxial with and spaced from said drum is arranged around the same and supported thereon by marginal walls extending to the surface of said drum, said walls defining the space between said drum and said tube into closed chambers, further support walls rigidly mounted on said drum jacket between the marginal walls of each cylinder tube dividing each tube into a plurality of chambers, distribution chambers at the respective ends of said drum and feed tubes establishing fluid flow communication between said distribution chambers and respective of said closed chambers to supply fluid medium to said chambers.

12. Apparatus of the class described comprising, a drum, rotatable about its longitudinal axis, a plurality of cylinder tubes spaced outwardly of the outer surface of said drum, means supporting said tubes on said drum to form closed chambers therebetween, means defining perforations in the outer surfaces of said chambers, and means for supplying fluid to said closed chambers.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that valve means control the flow of fluid to the respective chambers. 

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising, a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis, at least one perforated cylinder tube coaxial with said drum and spaced therefrom, said tubes including walls extending perpendicularly with respect to said drum axis and supporting said tubes relatively to said drum to form closed chambers between said drum and said tubes, fluid distribution chambers situated at respective ends of the drum, and feed tubes establishing fluid flow communication between said distribution chambers and respective to said closed chambers to supply fluid medium to said closed chambers.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the drum jacket consists of an inner part of normal steel and of an outer, corrosion-resistant part connected therewith.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylinder tube or tubes arranged around the marginal area of the drum jacket are unperforated.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that several cylinder tubes are provided, each of which presents marginal parts on both ends, bent towards the drum jacket, which serve as support walls.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that each cylinder tube forms a separate chamber.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, at the ends of the feed tubes leading into the distribution chambers, control and pressure compensation valves are provided.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that each cylinder tube presents, between the marginal parts serving as support walls, further support walls extending perpendicularly with respect to the tube axis, whereby each cylinder tube is divided into several chambers.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the support walls of the cylinder tubes are rigidly connected with the drum jacket.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the cylinder tubes with their support walls may be shifted on the drum jacket in the direction of the drum axis.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the marginal parts of each cylinder tube serving as support walls are rigidly connected with the drum jacket and in that the further support walls arranged within each cylinder tube can be shifted in direction of the drum axis.
 11. Apparatus of the class described comprising, a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis, characterized in that at least one perforated cylinder tube coaxial with and spaced from said drum is arranged around the same and supported thereon by marginal walls extending to the surface of said drum, said walls defining the space between said drum and said tube into closed chambers, further support walls rigidly mounted on said drum jacket between the marginal walls of each cylinder tube dividing each tube into a plurality of chambers, distribution chambers at the respective ends of said drum and feed tubes establishing fluid flow communication between said distribution chambers and respective of said closed chambers to supply fluid medium to said chambers.
 12. Apparatus of the class described comprisinG, a drum, rotatable about its longitudinal axis, a plurality of cylinder tubes spaced outwardly of the outer surface of said drum, means supporting said tubes on said drum to form closed chambers therebetween, means defining perforations in the outer surfaces of said chambers, and means for supplying fluid to said closed chambers.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that valve means control the flow of fluid to the respective chambers. 